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Protests target pawn shop's gun sales

Smart Pawn had guns stolen from premises

A Kansas City group that wants stricter limits on gun sales protests outside a pawn shop where guns have been stolen.

Protests target pawn shop's gun sales

Smart Pawn had guns stolen from premises

Updated: 6:47 PM CST Dec 21, 2012

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KANSAS CITY, Mo. —

A Kansas City community group marched Friday to call on a pawn shop to stop selling guns.

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The group said that Smart Pawn at 63rd Street and Troost Avenue has been a magnet for thieves seeking weapons and ammunition since it opened about a year ago.

Communities Creating Opportunity said it thinks the store should end sales of guns and ammunition.

"Having a place like this right in the middle of our neighborhood is not helping anyone. It's obviously not helping the pawn shop, because they're stealing (the guns)," said protester Mary Rebon.

Smart Pawn initially advertised gun sales when it first opened, but Communities Creating Opportunity convinced it to take the signs down. Smart Pawn said it would lock up the weaponry, but thefts have continued.

"I believe there have been at least 10 guns stolen," said Rebon.

The most recent theft was a daylight robbery that netted the thief an AK-47.

Protesters said they had a simple request of the store, which sits within blocks of several churches and schools.

"Be wise and remove guns and ammo from their stock and stop selling them to the community and our children," said the Rev. Vernon Howard of CCO.

The group said the manager told them that the AK-47 had been recovered, but gun and ammunition sales will continue.

CCO said it won't give up, hoping that community pressure might eventually change the owner's mind before a tragedy like the school shooting in Connecticut happens closer to home.

"It's just a matter of time, if they keep deluging our neighborhood with guns, that it's going to happen here," Rebon said.

CCO said it doesn't dispute the store's right to sell guns and ammunition, just the wisdom of it.